Paschall: LSU still has top-5 possibility

LSU has no shot of winning the Southeastern Conference, but that doesn't mean the Tigers are out of second chances.

After losing to Alabama for a second consecutive season, the Tigers have an opportunity to atone for the misery that followed last year's loss to the Tide. LSU never won another league game last season, closing with losses to Ole Miss and Arkansas, and finished with its first losing SEC record (3-5) since 1999.

The No. 9 Tigers host Louisiana Tech this week before closing with the Rebels and Razorbacks.

"I think our guys may be a tighter group," coach Les Miles said Wednesday. "I think our chemistry is better. In many instances, it's the same guys playing better. I think they're looking forward to being a great team and working hard to being a special team and understanding there is work to do.

"I think the leadership is good, and I'm looking forward to the back end of the season."

A 10-2 record would clinch a Capital One Bowl bid. An 11th win in Orlando would clinch a top-five finish.

Pasquali's Pix:

Tennessee at Ole Miss: It's difficult to know who Ed Orgeron thinks will win this week's Orgeron Bowl, because it's difficult to decipher what he says. Vols 20, Rebels 17.

Georgia Tech at Duke: Pasquali usually doesn't like rematches, but the potential of a Tech-Clemson sequel in the ACC title game is tantalizing indeed. Yellow Jackets 33, Blue Devils 14.

Kentucky at Vanderbilt: The Wildcats can clinch a record fourth consecutive year of bowl eligibility, which would further cement Kentucky's reputation as a football school. Wildcats 19, Commodores 10.

The Citadel at UTC: No matter how they go about doing it, the respected Mocs need to split these last two games. Mocs 20, Bulldogs 13.

Florida at South Carolina: Steve Spurrier has the Gamecocks bowl-eligible for a record fifth straight year. Urban Meyer has the Gators going for their 20th win in a row. Gators 24, Gamecocks 10.

Alabama at Mississippi State: The SEC's top two rushers in yards per game will be on display with Bama's Mark Ingram (127.6) and State's Anthony Dixon (125.1). Crimson Tide 27, Bullies 10.

Auburn at Georgia: Both teams allow more than 26 points a game, so this one could take a while. Bulldogs 31, Tigers 29.

Notre Dame at Pittsburgh: Lose this, and Irish coach Charlie Weis may have to fall back on that swimsuit modeling career. Panthers 24, Irish 23.

Last week:

Winners.....................21

Injured LSU starters....4

Pasquali is now 195-55 overall (78.0 percent) this season.

OTHER PICKS

Arkansas 34, Troy 17

LSU 42, Louisiana Tech 14

Boston College 23, Virginia 20

Clemson 28, N.C. State 21

Wake Forest 21, Florida St. 19

Virginia Tech 33, Maryland 24

Miami 22, North Carolina 21

MTSU 27, UL-Lafayette 19

Cincinnati 31, West Virginia 16

Texas 38, Baylor 11

TCU 34, Utah 24

Boise State 45, Idaho 7

Southern Cal 30, Stanford 15

Oregon 33, Arizona State 6

Ohio State 24, Iowa 13

Wisconsin 17, Michigan 10

Okla. State 26, Texas Tech 24